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Esther looking for one final Asiad hurrah

Esther Cheah only won a bronze in the women’s team event in the Asian Games in Guangzhou in 2010. — filepic

PETALING JAYA: National elite bowler Esther Cheah will be hoping to sign off with a bang in probably her last Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, from Sept 19-Oct 4.

“This will be my third Asian Games, so it might be my last one. I’m 28 this year and I’ll be 32 in four years’ time. I don’t quite know what’s in store in 2018,” said Esther.

Esther is already a 10-year veteran in the national team, having joined in 2004. She has a slew of titles in her cabinet, including the singles gold at the 2005 World Championships.

At the Asiad, Esther’s best outing was in her debut appearance in Doha in 2006. She won two golds (singles and five-woman team) and three silvers in the All-Events, Masters and trios.

In Guangzhou, China, in 2010, Esther could only manage to pick up a bronze in the five-woman team.

For Esther, she would like to win the five-woman team gold again.

“Of course, I’d love to win the singles gold again. But for me the team event is a little bit more special because it’s a combined effort and you share the joy. Every one goes home with a medal and happiness is best when it’s shared,” said Esther.

Esther, however, has yet to win a title this year. Her best effort was second in the Masters at the National Championships in April.

“It hasn’t been a great year for me so far, but things are looking up. The centralised training will give me the chance to fine-tune some aspects of my game. I hope I can peak at just the right time ... that’ll be great,” said Esther.

Is she immuned to the pressure after all these years?

“The pressure is always there, in any tournaments. It’s no different if it’s the Asian Games or competing in an Open tournament. My priority is to give my best when I compete,” said Esther.

Esther is one of the seven bowlers in the squad. The others are Shalin Zulkifli, Sin Li Jane, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi, Natasha Roslan and Radin Nur Najwa Arifah Radin Dzulfakar. The Malaysian Ten-pin Bowling Congress (MTBC) will pick only six bowlers for the Games.

“There’s going to be a roll-off to select the team, so it’s always good to be on your toes. Right now, we have a good mix of youth and experience in the team. It up to the MTBC to decide,” said Esther.